Stair nosing



NOV 29. 1966 l.. P. AToN 3,287,867

STAIR NOSING Filed Jan. 3, 1964 Fig.

h.;- Loyd P. Afan JNVENTOR.

BY mi 'Ivi United States Patent 3,287,867 STAIR NOSING Loytl P. Aton, 23800 Kelly, East Detroit, Mich. Filed Jan. 3, 1964. Ser. No. 335,584 3 Claims. (Cl. 52-,179)

The present invention relates to a `stair nosing in combinaftion with the tread and riser components of a stair step -construction and pertains, more particularly, to the nosing, the precise construction thereof and the means whereby it is brought into use in combination with the aforementioned tread and riser. l Briefly the nosing comprises a horizontally elongated concavo-convex strip of molding the upper convex part of which is cooperable with the forward lengthwise edge of the stair tread and the lower concave part of which is opposed to the upper portion of the riser whereby the extreme lower horizontal or lengthwise edge resides against the cooperating front face of said riser. It follows that the concave side of the molding or riser bridges the joint between the tread and riser. What is more important, the upper lengthwise edge of the molding is increased in thickness for rigidity and is integral with the vertical flange portion of a substantially L-shaped adapter whose horizontal flange is driven into and keyed in a groove or keyway which is routed in and through the forward vertical edge of the stair tread.

As will be hereinafter more clearly appreciated the nosing is such in construction that valuable time and labor can and will be `saved compared to molding-type nosings which are currently being used wherein for example the construction is such that it has been necessary to insert the attaching flange (which is customarily provided) under the tile and then screw and fasten the parts in cooperating relationship. In this connection it is to be pointed out that builders are repeatedly using lighter tile tand attempting to save money. Experience has shown, however, that screw heads in the edge of the molding, under prevailing practice, show, in an objectionable manner ythrough the tile. It follows that one objective of the present invention is to improve upon prior art nosings and to not only save time and money but to achieve a practical result wherein the appearance factor is significant and yindicative of an advance in the art. One example of a stair nosing is disclosed in a patent to Aubrey 1,767,782. Reference to this patent will quickly reveal that the securing flange which extends in .a plane lateral to the concave side of the molding or nosing is such in construction that it has -to be applied before the tile tread can be put in position and properly laid and fastened. It follows that the present invention is an improvement `on the Aubrey patent by reason of the fact that the tile is applied first, a groove is then routed into the edge of the wooden or equivalent tread, and the horizontal leg of the angle-type adapter and mounting flange is snapped into place in the groove which is provided therefor. It follows, too, that with the invention herein shown, described and claimed, one is able to appropriate and use the same piece of molding for each different gauge of material.

As further exemplary of the state of the art and with reference to the stair tread nosing of Loehr 1,611,211 it is evident that the tapering attaching flange, while screwed down underneath the linoleum or other covering involves a construction wherein a different gauge of molding would be necessary for each type of material ranging, for instance, from 1,66 of an inch, 1A; of an inch, 3A@ of an inch and so on. The -herein disclosed invention is such that it permits the tile to be applied first, permits rabbeting of a groove in the usable leading edge of the stair tread, and permits expeditious insertion and anchoring of the barbed flange in the groove.

ICC

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention the lengthwise top edge portion of the molding is significantly thick. The depth of the drop from the top to the bottom is intentionally such that the upper h-alfportion cooperates with the edge of the tread and the lower half-portion with the upper edge portion of the usual riser. The angle between the vertical and horizontal flanges is intentionally less than 90 degrees with the result that when the adapter flange is finally lodged in place the vertical flange abuts the cooperating marginal edge of the tread and the horizontal flange is wedged with certainty into the accommodation groove and is retained by the barbs which are extruded or when the barbs are made or provided by a punch press. It follows, therefore, that with this improved constructionthe user resorts to a portable router, routs a groove in the edge of the stair tread approximately S; inch deep Iand after the tile has, of course, been laid. Then all that is necessary is to press the flanges into rtheir intended retaining position.

These together with other objects and advantagesV which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like part-s throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary View in perspective showing the attachable or flanged concave side of the stair nosing (or molding as it is also described);

FIGURE 2 is a View in section showing fragmentary portions of the stair step including the horizontal tread, vertical riser, attached tile or equivalent covering and, to the left thereof, with ready-to-use improved nosing; and

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and wherein the component parts are the same but with the nosing now applied, that is secured in its intended usable position.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3 the step as a structural entity is denoted by the nume-ral 6 and comprises the usual horizontal tread 8 having its forward or leading edge portion 10 mounted atop the upper edge of the vertical riser 12 and providing a joint therebetween as at 14. Glued or otherwise covering and attached to the usable surface of the tread board or equivalent tread 8 is the customary tile or equivalent surface. In keeping with the principles of'the present invention the lower half-portion of the tread 8 is routed with a portable router to provide a groove 18 which opens throu-gh the leading edge 10. This groove in practice is usually about 5/8 of an inch in depth. As pointed out the groove is provided after the tile has been laid.

The nosing unit as a structural entity is designated by they numeral 20 and has a convex front side or surface 22 and a concave rearward side 24. The adapter and anchoring means is denoted by the numeral 26 and it comprises an upstanding vertical flange 2S, a companion generally horizontal rearwardly extending flange 30, said flanges being integrated at 32 with the result that the angle between the two flanges 28 and 30 is slightly less than 90 degrees. The upper edge portion of the flange 28 merges with the thickened part 34 of the junctional connection between said flange 28 and the upper cooperating edge portion 36 of the molding. The edge 38 is of a thickness in cross-section to be forced into the keying groove 18. This relationship between the parts is denoted by the arrow A suggesting how the flange 30 is to be driven into the groove 18. In order to maintain the resul-t desired the flange 30 is provided with anti-slipping upstanding forwardly projecting barbs 40 which as suggested in FIG. 1 is substantially V-shaped with the pointed ends adapted to embed themselves inthe top wall of the groove 18. It can be appreciated that with the novel flan-ges of the adapter means (with the flanges in yieldable angular relationship) the application of the molding or nosing to the stair components 8 and 12 is achieved with the etli- 'ciency and certain-ty of adequate performance illustrated in particular in FIG. 3. Here it will be seen that rthe barbed flange 38 contributes its proportionate share in properly lining up and maintaining security between the parts, `the vertical flange 28 abuts the leading edge portion 10 above the plane of the groove 18, the thickened portion 34 provides rigidity and the upper planar edge 36 cooperates with requisite nicety with the surface of the tile 16. With this construction it is not necessary to drill holes for attaching screws. Instead the punch-pressed barbs provide satisfactory anchorage.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a stair step comprising a vertical riser, a tread at right angles thereto and having a leading edge portion resting atop an upper edge of the riser, said leading edge portion being provided with a horizontal groove constituting a keyway, covering tile fixed atop said tread, nosing means comprising a strip of molding, said molding extending along said leading edge portion and vpor-tion of said molding dening said upper lengthwise edge including a depending ange disposed between the concave side of said molding and said leading edge portion of said tread and including a generally horizontally outwardly projecting ange adjacent its lower extremity extending away from said concave side of said molding and frictionally secured in said groove.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein said horizontal flange is provided with a multiplicity of struckout tongues, said tongues being pointed and constituting anchoring and retaining barbs frictionally embedded in portions of said tread defining said groove.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the portions of said depending ange from which said horizontal ange is supported are rspaced trom the concave side of said molding.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,312,056 8/1919 Shaw. 1,767,782 6/1930 Awbrey 52-179 2,509,037 5/1950 Flicker 52-614 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

JOHN E. MURTAGH, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A STAIR STEP COMPRISING A VERTICAL RISER, A TREAD AT FIRST ANGLES THERETO AND HAVING A LEADING EDGE PORTION RESTING ATOP AND UPPER EDGE OF THE RISER, SAID LEADING EDGE PORTION BEING PROVIDED WITH A HORIZONTAL GROOVE CONSTITUTING A KEYWAY, COVERING TILE FIXED ATOP SAID TREAD, NOSING COMPRISING A STRIP OF MOLDING, SAID MOLDING EXTENDING ALONG SAID LEADING EDGE PORTION AND BEING CONCAVO-CONVEX AND HAVING ITS CONCAVE SIDE OVERLYING THE LEADING EDGE PORTION OF THE TREAD AND UPPER EDGE PORTION OF THE RISER AND HAVING AN UPPER HORIZONTAL LENGTHWISE EDGE FLUSH WITH THE TOP OF THE FILE, THE EDGE 